I need a distraction and she mentioned dancing.
And I need to take her up on her offer. Anything is better than the realization that Nate doesn’t want to touch me.
Anything.
chapter twenty
Maisie
Change of plans. Found Scarlett and we’re gonna hang out for a bit. Maybe it’s time for you to check out the spa or something. See you later!
My text is not subtleat all, but it’s the best I can do considering the swirl of messy emotions inside of me.
“You’re serious about not talking about this?” Scarlett asks. “You’re not even giving me a hint as to why you burst into my room and begged to get drunk and dance with me?”
I wince. “It’s just Nate drama. I know you’re tired of hearing about it.”
She crosses her arms. “Are you assuming right now?”
Right. She can see through bullshit. “I just got confirmation that Nate really doesn’t like me like that, okay? I need some space to process and move on before I go back to being his friend.”
Scarlett’s face falls. “Oh, babe, I’m so sorry.”
“It’s okay,” I reply. “It really will be. This whole trip has me out of sorts, and hanging out with you helps. Even if we’re not talking about every little thing that’s going on with me.”
“You know that talking about every little thing is my job, right?”
“You’re on vacation,” I remind her with a smirk.
“Which is the only way I’m letting you get away with this.” She points at me. “But if you change your mind and need a shoulder to cry on, I can lock back in.”
“Even after drinking?”
“Oh yeah. I’m flexible like that.”
I laugh and follow her. One of the gathering rooms is meant for drinking and dancing, and every night, people flock to get wasted and have a fun time. I never thought I would be here, but Scarlett walks in like she owns the place, leading me right to the bar. I order something simple and try to adjust to the loud pop music playing.
The lights are low, illuminated by a disco ball and sparse colorful lights. People dance like they don’t have a care in the world.
I know I need at least two more drinks before I can join them.
Scarlett has no reservations, though. She joins the dancing like she’s meant to, and she looks like a natural out there. I wonder if she’ll get lost in the sea of people, but she lingers at the side, like a silent invitation.
I join after my second drink.
Scarlett moves her hips easily, raising her arms as she dances to the beat. I’m not drunk enough to completely lose all inhibitions, but she grabs my hands and gently moves me with her.
“Everyone here is either drunk or too invested in their own little world. Let loose, Maisie.”
She says it right when a song ends, and I glance around the crowd. True to her word, no one is looking twice at me. I can tell who’s drunk and who’s not, but the sober people in the crowd are too busy talking to their own friends.
I want to let go of everything and live. Ihaveto.
When the next song starts, I follow Scarlett’s movements. Ihave no idea what I’m doing, and I probably look like a gazelle with a broken leg, but all that matters is the music. Scarlett’s face brightens and she cheers me on as one song turns into two and then three.
I’m tempted to go get another drink when I see her eyes catch on someone who’s near the door.
“If you see a guy, go for it!” I yell in her direction.
